Are you a PSU student feeling the financial crunch of the current economy? For those who may feel they have “reached the end of their rope,” there is a place to turn. The Student Support Foundation is a free, confidential resource for graduate and undergraduate students experiencing financial emergencies.
“One of our goals is to help keep students in school,” said Preston Fuller, one of the two program advisors of the Student Support Foundation. Students in financial emergencies fill out an application, which is stripped of any identifying information and sent to the board consisting of PSU students. “It’s a peer-helping-peer organization,” said Kathy Tardif, program advisor.
While grants do offer support for the short-term financial emergencies, the SSF offers long-term direction to external resources and financial tips for students. The website states that another goal of the foundation is to “help students who apply for grants to become more self-reliant through advice and suggestions of reliable resources on campus and in the community.” Grants may be awarded to those who need help with textbooks, food, medical emergencies, emergency travel or daycare to name a few. There are some things the grants will not cover including fines and fees, tuition, counseling services (which are offered free to students at the Counseling Center), or cell phone bills. For a complete list, students are encouraged to visit the SSF website.
It is important to remember that everything to do with the SSF, from students applying for grants to members of the board, is completely confidential and anonymous. Applications are stripped of all identifying information including names, addresses, and even majors, before they are passed to the board. Students on the board are anonymous to ensure that those applying for emergency financial assistance feel safe and comfortable doing so.
If you are in a financial emergency and need assistance, there are many options available to you. Visit the Student Support Foundation’s website at Plymouth.edu/campmin/ssf/index.html to learn more about the program or to fill out an application for a grant. Email applications to Preston Fuller (plfuller@plymouth.edu) or Kathy Tardif (kmtardif@plymouth.edu).
Also, the Student Support Foundation is looking for both graduate and undergraduate students to be on the board. Check out the website for a description of board membership, fill out an application and email it to either Fuller or Tardif. If you’re in serious financial need, don’t forget that your friends at the SSF can help!